Archives for July 16, 2018

“We have the challenge of liberating our people from the wretchedness they have been subjected to. The National Intellectuals Organization has taken the first step towards this today. This step taken should be certainly completed with victory,” said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka speaking at the National Seminar organized by the National Intellectuals Organization at the auditorium of the National Youth Services Council at Maharagama on the 14th. A large number including leaders of political parties, university professors and lecturers, artists, trade union leaders, leaders of farmers’ and fishermen’s associations, representatives from mass organizations, experts of various sectors were present.
Mr Dissanayaka said, “Today, there is a breakdown in the society. There is frustration everywhere. A large number of people are silent about this though their hearts vibrate with grief and defenselessness. Another group raises their voices against injustice and inequality. Today, the general public clamour for justice. The norm of this era is for justice, equality and independence. No other human or spiritual phenomenon could exist. As such, this island should be reestablished on the pillars of justice, equality and independence. We are embarking on a task that cannot be relinquished.
Our country has become powerless economically. This economy has to be reorganized. The economy has to be developed as its results are important factors in the journey towards our objectives. How do we come upon the justice, equality and independence of the economy? Today, a large portion of our village folk have been made human dust in the economy. The lowest 10% of the society gets only 1.1% portion of the economy while the highest 10% possesses 38.4%. The lowest strata of the society don’t get a fair portion of the economy. Also, despite the per capita income is US$ 4300, the daily income of 42% of the population is less than US$2. Isn’t it necessary to make the economy fair to all? Also, the masses have been trapped in a massive indebtedness. It is reported that most of the suicides committed in Jaffna District are due to indebtedness. How do we liberate the masses from indebtedness? 10% of the houses in the country have an area of only 250 sq. ft. How could a family live in such a house? Health has become unprotective. This is why the economy should be made a phenomenon justifiable to all.
There exists a tragedy in our society today. The fourth highest suicide rate in the world has been recorded in Sri Lanka. In 2017 there had been 3363 suicides. In 2015 there had been 38107 motor accidents. There had been 4000 robberies in 2017 that had involved Rs. 25,000 or more. More than 1300 children below the age of 20 have been sexually abused. We are living in a dangerous time when we could be subjected to any type of mishap. Isn’t it necessary to change this situation? The social life should be subjected to a broad transformation. The present administrative system is being restricted to personal luxuries. It is not an administration that is linked to the needs of the masses. As such, it is necessary to build a new administration. It is necessary to build an administration that totally conforms to the needs and wishes of the masses. We should build an era where the administration is with the participation of masses.
There is a massive breakdown in our export and import market. We spent US$21 billion on imports. However, w get only US$11 for our exports. Ours is a state where the trade deficit is 10%. We have to fulfil the trade deficit. It should be solved by our committee on economic affairs. Also, the export trade should be expanded. We have to come out of traditional good exports. At the moment the space for us in the international market is being clogged. Also, we don’t have massive trade resources. Ours is a country that has a high population density. However, the location of our country has an advantage. That’s why Colombo Harbour enjoys the 26th position in the world. Our country is placed 12 in re-exporting of goods. It is due to the location of our country. Also, the human resource of our country is an advantage. These could be reorganized and the economy could be developed. We have to know whey such a development is needed for the economy.
Our objective is not economic development. However, economic development is the path that could take us to our objectives. Without this, we cannot achieve our objective of a highly advanced society in which a culture where an independent human being concerned with beauty, emotions, and the senses exists. Hence, our objective may not be economic development but the path that paves the way for our objectives is linked to economic development. As such, we have the challenge before us of compiling policies targetting these objectives. One of the most speedily developing sectors is the sector of information technology. The information technology sector could be developed to bring us US$5 billion. It is our task to develop the human resource to achieve this.
Today, the most popular politicking in our country is communalism. Muslim communalism is popular with Muslims. Tamil communalism is popular with Tamils and Sinhalese communalism is popular among the Sinhalese. There is a political sect that asks for a Sinhalese strongman. What result could such a politic achieve to our country? A state where communities fight with each other. How could a state where there is enmity, suspicion, hatred and fury go forward? The biggest challenge before us is building national unity. The challenge of building the Sri Lankan Nation without undermining any culture exists. Our country should be taken towards National Unity.
The economy of our country has to be subjected to a revolutionary transformation to fulfil the complex necessities of today’s human society. The outdated and broken down economic system would never bring any benefits to our country. Also, our society should be subjected to a revolutionary transformation. Can a society where sections fight with each other and prepared to do anything for personal gains achieve victories? As such, the country cannot achieve any victory without subjecting the society to a revolutionary transformation. Can today’s politics bring victory to the country? Where does politics that utilize state institutions that are full of frauds, corruption and waste for personal gains end up? Today frauds and corruption are committed in palaces. The President’s chief of staff was arrested for Rs.20 million ransom incident. President’s chief of staff was the broker of the transaction. Only the President could send him as a broker. The discussion for the Central Bank bond scam was held at Temple Trees. Will this type of politics bring any benefit to the country? As such, all should rally to revolutionary transform the present political system.
We, as the JVP, are happy that we have been able to protect our identity, legitimacy and equity despite the present politics in the country has been turned to a muddy swamp. Those who are assembled today are not people who have been made helpless economically. They are assembled here to liberate the masses and eh country that have been made destitute. It is evident that our country cannot march forward without an economic, social, and political revolution. As such, there is a colossal challenge before us. There is a call for dictatorship in the country. However, there is no country developed by a dictator. Out of the 53 countries in the African Continent, 35 countries have dictatorships. However, the experience throughout the world in connection with dictators is destruction. The country already subjected to anarchism would be completely destroyed if a dictatorship is established. Instead, an administration that totally conforms to the needs and the wishes of the masses should be established.
There are only thousands present here but there are millions outside. They do not get an opportunity to listen to us. Even if they listen they do not comprehend well. As such, how do we take our message to them? It is a challenge before us. Today we appointed policy compiling committees for several sectors. Within the next six months, a massive dialogue should be carried out regarding the policies compiled by the committees. Accordingly, we should be prepared to present the ‘programme to build the country’ in January next year. Also, the force that would build the country could be seen symbolically on this stage now. We have got together to build this force. We, as the JVP, are prepared to provide the political guidance. The people have the responsibility to direct the country towards achieving results.
Also, the administration that is built should be made a people’s administration. This administration should be one that protects the country. Protecting the country doesn’t mean rallying the South against the North or instigating the Sinhalese against the Muslims and vice versa. Today, our country has been made impotent economically. Leaders in this country are bought by companies in other countries. Former President has been bought by a Chinese company for US$7.6. He has not rejected this. We hope to reveal in Parliament the numbers of the cheques received, where they were cashed and the individuals who cashed them. This shows that our country is not an independent country. Is our country independent if a Chinese company can buy leaders of the country? Ours is a state where resources of the country are allowed to be manipulated by multi-national companies instead of using them for the benefit of the country. Trade agreements are signed according to the needs of multi-national companies. Tax policies are prepared according to the directives of the IMF. How could a country that depends on the economy and politics of other countries be an independent country?
Also, the fake patriotism should be defeated. As such, there is a struggle to achieve economic, political and cultural independence for the country. Let’s compile the programme and the force to implement this programme. Also, let’s build the administration that could implement the programme. We invite all to come forward, mediate and rally with us”

The French national team became the world champions after defeating an underdog Croatian team 4-2 in the World Cup final played in Moscow on Sunday. This is France’s second World Cup title and it’s the first since it hosted the 1998 tournament 20 years ago. Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was the captain in 1998 when his team shocked Brazil in Paris, and on Sunday he became the third to ever win the World Cup as a player and coach.
In a match that featured anything you could have ever imagined, an own goal, a goal due to a goalkeeper error, pitch invaders and a teenager wunderkind finding the back of the net, France rolled to a convincing 4-1 lead and managed to hold on to earn its second star.
A penalty-kick goal from Antoine Griezmann and goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were enough to lift one of the pre-tournament favourites to the title, capping off a magnificent run in the group stage and the knockout stage that featured wins over Australia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium.